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26 Ways To Pay It Forward This Holiday Season

It’s been a rough year, folks. At times, 2016 has seemed more like an I’m-living-in-the-Twilight–Zone kind of bad dream than actual real life. But it’s times like these — when this country appears to be falling apart at the seams — that goodness can and will prevail.

We’re told in times of real tragedy to look for the helpers, and now it’s more important than ever to not just look for them, but to be them.

So this holiday season, do me a favor, will ya? Make a point of paying it forward some way, somehow. I’m not talking about huge monetary donations and week-long acts of volunteer service. I’m talking about simple, easy, even anonymous forms of loving gestures that may make all the difference in the world to a person’s day. And you never know where that may lead.

1. Babysit for a single mother so she can get holiday shopping and/or wrapping done.

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2. If you’re shopping on Amazon for holiday gifts, use AmazonSmile. It’s a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop — at no cost to you.

3. Tip your waitress or waiter very, very generously, with a note saying, “Do good with this.”

4. Hang an elderly neighbor’s Christmas lights for them or trim their tree.

5. In the Starbucks drive-thru? Pay for the car behind you. Ask the barista to tell them, “Happy Holidays, and pay it forward.”

6. Let someone go in front of you at the grocery store and in traffic — again and again, and again.

7. Eat at family-owned local restaurants this season and leave positive reviews on Yelp.

8. Drop off a $25 grocery gift card at a food bank, forgoing dinner at your own home.

9. Making a lasagna? Make two, freeze one, and then surprise your kid’s school teacher with dinner.

10. Did you just get good service at a business or restaurant? Ask for the manager and tell them about that employee.

11. Drop off personal hygiene items and diapers at your local women’s shelter.

12. Bring good coffee beans to your local fire station.

13. See a car in a parking lot with a veteran’s license plate? Leave a handwritten note on the windshield thanking them for their service.

14. Encourage a special needs parent. See one out in public? Stop and compliment them on their patience and dedication.

15. Actually complete the survey on your sales receipt if you had a good shopping or dining experience. Often, employees will get cash bonuses.

16. Leave your finished magazine or book on public transportation with a note on the cover stating,“Read and pass it on.”

17. Find a charity’s public wish list on Amazon and buy something they need.